Cleansing structure and soap dish

ABSTRACT

A cleansing structure formed of a sponge, a bar soap held and exposed centrally in the sponge and a relatively rigid handle exposed externally of the sponge, the handle serving as a base for the sponge when used as a soap dish.

United States Patent [111 3,601,493

[72] Inventor Jlcob M. Levy 7 1,748,008 2/1930 Barnowitz 15/244 (C) UX 523B Oakton, Skokie, [IL 60076 1,756,713 4/1930 Vernet 15/244 (C) X {21] App]. N0. 816,542 2,259,653 10/1941 Mitchell ..15/244 (CH) X [22] Filed Apr. 16, 1969 2,466,502 4/1949 Stiller 243/206 X 1 Patented B- 24,1971 2,588,773 3/1952 Smith 15/244 (R) X 2,736,913 3/1956 Mirth 401/201 X 2,932,119 4/1960 B0rah.... 248/206 X 1 CLEANSING STRUCTURE AND SOAP 3,067,450 12/1962 Mirth 401/201 2 Claims, 7 Drawing 8 3,101,566 8/1963 Stiller 248/362 X [52] U.S. Cl 4011201, 3,488,126 1/l970 Avallone 0l/20I X 15/244" 248/206 248/359 Primary Examiner-Daniel Blum [5 l Int. Cl A47k 5/04, Azmrney parker, Carter & Mal-key A47k 7/03 [50] Field of Search 15/104.93,

10494, 118, 244 R, 244 A, 244 B, 244 C, 244 CH;

ABSTRACT: A cleansing structure formed of a sponge, a bar [56] Reta-cum Cited soap held and exposed centrally in the sponge and a relatively UNITED STATES PATENTS rigid handle exposed externally of the sponge, the handle servl,659,644 2/1928 Vernet 15/244 (C) ing as a base for the sponge when used as a soap dish.

CLEANSING STRUCTURE AND SOAP DISH SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A sponge is configured for manual use in cleansing the human body. Means are provided for holding a bar soap within the sponge and with one surface of the soap exposed. A combination handle and base is formed of a relatively thin sheet of relatively rigid material secured externally to the sponge. The soap may be held by the compressive action of the sponge. The base and soap may be held by suction mean secured to the base.

This invention relates to cleansing structures and soap dishes and has for one of its purposes the provision of a combination cleansing structure and soap dish.

Another purpose is to provide a soap dish of attractive appearance and devoid of spillage, drippings and unsightly appearances experienced with prior soap dishes.

Another purpose is to provide a cleansing structure including a hand-holdabl sponge useful in cleansing the body and carrying a bar soap within the sponge and with one soap surface exposed.

Another purpose is to provide a combination cleansing structure and soap dish having a relatively rigid part serviceable alternatively as a handle and a base.

Another purpose is to provide a cleansing structure and soap dish having suction means externally thereof for positioning the device of the invention.

Another purpose is to provide a cleansing structure and soap dish having suction means therewithin effective to hold a bar soap and pieces of bar soap.

Another purpose is to provide a cleansing structure and soap dish formed primarily of spongelike material and employing the inherent resistance to compression of the sponge material to retain a bar soap.

Other-purposes will appear from time to time during the course of the specification and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a top plan view;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation;

FIG. 4 is a top view with a bar soap removed;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of one form of the invention priorv to the insertion of a bar soap;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another form of the invention prior to the insertion of a bar soap; and

FIG. 7 is another form of the invention prior to insertion of a bar soap.

. Like parts are indicated by like numerals throughout the specification and drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, the numeral I designates generally a piece of spongelike material. It has been found effective, for example, to employ a double cell polyurethane material for the piece 1. In planar configuration the piece I may be round or oval as shown. It will be understood that the piece 1 is designed for holding in the hand of the user and hence will be appropriately sized in planar dimensions. The piece 1 is centrally recessed or apertured to form a pocket area 2 for reception of a bar of soap 2a.

Referring now to FIG. 2, in which the opposite surface of the piece 1 appears, it will be seen-that a combination base and handle element 3 is suitably secured to the piece 1, an appropriate adhesive being employed for example to secure the base-handle member 3 to the under or opposite surface of piece 1.

Positioned on the base 3 and extending outwardly from the external surface of the handle base 3 is a plurality of suction cup elements 4. It will be understood that the elements 4 may be formed integrally with the handle base 3 or may be separately secured to the outer surface of the member 3. It has been found effective to form the member 3 of a suitable plastic having a rigid characteristic relative to the material of the piece 1.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the piece 1 is of relatively limited height or thickness, although of substantially greater thickness than the base-handle member 3. In the form of FIG. 3 a plurality of suction cup elements 5 extend from the inner surface of base-handle member 3 into the pocket 2. FIG. 4 shows the piece 1 with the bar soap 2a removed and showing the suction elements 5 positioned within the pocket 2.

In the form of FIG. 4, the pocket 2 is formed by removal of material of the piece I. Said material in the form of FIG. 4 is removed through the entire piece 1 to form an aperture and to expose the suction cup elements 5 within the pocket thus formed. In the forms of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 the material of the piece 1 is not removed to form a pocket area 2. In said forms of FIGS. 5-7 simple cuts are made in the material of piece I as shown. The cuts may take a-variety of forms, three such forms being illustrated in saidFIGS. 5-7. In each case, as shown in dotted lines, the material is so cut as to permit the forcible insertion of a bar soap within the area which includes the cuts and to spread the material sufficiently to permit insertion'and retention of the bar soap within the area encompassed within the dotted lines shown. When the cuts of FIGS. 5-7 are made entirely. through the material of piece 1 and thebase-handle member 3 is secured, it will be understood that the forcible spreading of the material in opposite directions from the cuts shown by the insertion of a bar soap will be sufficient. Should the cuts shown in heavy linesin FIGS. 5 -7 not penetrate-entirely through the material of piece 1, it will be understood that a necessity will remain for undercutting, within the material 1, so as to permit said spreading apart of material and insertion of a bar soap.

The use and operation of the invention are as follows:

The device of the invention serves as an attractive and effective soap dish. The base-handle member 3 serves as a suitable rigid base for the dish of the invention. When the suction elements 4 are employed, they are effective to retain the dish against accidental or unintended movement and, with sufficient size and number of suction elements 4, the dish may, where desired, be held on a wall or other vertical surface.

The material of the piece 1 is normally produced and is readily available in a wide variety of bright and attractive colors. White or colored bar soap may be employed to further provide similar or contrasting colors presentedto the viewer.

When used as a cleansing structure the user grasps the device of the invention. The handle base member 3 is readily received within the palm of the user. The thumb and fingers of the user may enclose the side edges of the piece 1. The suction elements 4, when present, are of insufficient extension to interfere with said grasping and holding of the device of the invention by the user.

Thereafter the user employs the device of the invention in the manner of a bar of soap, supplying water to the soap and rubbing the soap and the piece I on the portions of the body to be cleaned. The resulting compression and expansion of the sponge material of the piece 1 results in a rapid and voluminous production of cleansing lather.

The suction elements 5 are effective to hold the bar soap in position throughout the life of the bar soap and to hold remnants or pieces thereof when and if the bar soap cracks and as it diminishes in use. Similarly, the resistance to compression of the sponge material of which the piece 1 is formed is effective to hold the bar soap in the resulting pocket 2 when one of the forms of FIGS. 5-7 is employed. In such event, also, the reduction in size of the bar soap, as the device of the invention is repeatedly used, results in a tendency for the material of the piece 1 to close over the reduced bar of soap,

in an effort of the material to return to the status shown in FIGS. 5-7, andthus to hold the reduced piece or bar of soap within the sponge piece 1. After use, the material of the piece 1 may be simple squeezed to expel excess moisture and lather. When the piece 1 is thereafter released, it expands to its normal position and rapidly drys.

Thus the operation of the device of the invention produces a simultaneous application of a supply of soap in a lathering action and the scrubbing-cleansing action of the sponge material of the piece 1 to the skin of the user, resulting in a luxurious, efficient and rapid cleansing action. Thereafter the device of the invention is usable as a soap dish.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A combination cleansing structure and soap dish comprising a piece of spongelike material, a pocket in said piece, a bar soap positioned in said pocket and exposing a surface of said bar, said pocket being formed by cuts in the material of said piece and the separation of the material in opposite directions from said cuts by compression in response to the insertion of a bar soap between opposed surfaces formed by said cuts, said cuts forming an X in the material of said piece.

2. A combination cleansing structure and soap dish comprising a piece of spongelike material, a pocket in said piece, a bar soap positioned in said pocket and exposing a surface of said bar, said pocket being formed by cuts in the material of said piece and the separation of the material in opposite directions from said cuts by compression in response to the insertion of a bar soap between opposed surfaces formed by said cuts, said cuts including a first cut positioned centrally of said pocket and a pair of diverging cuts extending from the 0pposite ends of said first cut. 

1. A combination cleansing structure and soap dish comprising a piece of spongelike material, a pocket in said piece, a bar soap positioned in said pocket and exposing a surface of said bar, said pocket being formed by cuts in the material of said piece and the separation of the material in opposite directions from said cuts by compression in response to the insertion of a bar soap between opposed surfaces formed by said cuts, said cuts forming an X in the material of said piece.
 2. A combination cleansing structure and soap dish comprising a piece of spongelike material, a pocket in said piece, a bar soap positioned in said pocket and exposing a surface of said bar, said pocket being formed by cuts in the material of said piece and the separation of the material in opposite directions from said cuts by compression in response to the insertion of a bar soap between opposed surfaces formed by said cuts, said cuts including a first cut positioned centrally of said pocket and a pair of diverging cuts extending from the opposite ends of said first cut. 